Wood River Valley Resident Donates Land for Wildlife Habitat

HAILEY, Idaho – A 795-acre parcel of land was recently donated to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game by longtime Wood River Valley resident Harry Rinker.

Rinker said he donated the land known as Timber Gulch, which is north of Hailey and west of Idaho 75 near Greenhorn Road, to help wildlife and provide access for outdoor buffs.

“I’m a strong advocate for wildlife,” he told Fish and Game. “It’s such a beautiful wildlife area and so scenic. We want to preserve it for people to hike through and enjoy as we did.”

Rinker said he decided last summer that he wanted to donate the land. Fish and Game officials said they appreciate the donation and look forward to improving the property for wintering elk.

“Elk use this area during the winter months, and wintering elk are commonly observed on the property and adjacent Bureau of Land Management lands during winter big game survey flights,” said Mark Fleming, the department's regional wildlife habitat manager.

“Maximizing the habitat potential of this property to attract and keep elk on their traditional winter range away from development will benefit elk herds and prevent depredation problems on private lands.”

Public access is available to the Timber Gulch property through an easement owned by Blaine County, according to Fish and Game, which allows non-motorized travel through adjacent private property.

“It’s our intent to preserve this property in perpetuity so people can use it forever,” Rinker said.